92-year-old Byrd becomes longest-serving Congress member

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Robert C. Byrd became history's longest-serving member of Congress on Wednesday, earning a formal salute from the Senate and President Obama for his nearly 57 years of service.

"I've loved every precious minute of it," the frail West Virginia Democrat, who turns 92 on Friday, said moments before the Senate passed a resolution marking the milestone. Obama described the one-time segregationist as a touchstone for constitutional values and a role model to all lawmakers.